John Owen, Portfolio Specialist, discusses the global share market recovery, why caution is still waranted from an Australian perspective and how MLC’s portfolios are positioned. In the latest update, John reviews events in markets during October. He discusses: how share markets performed strongly in October, going some way to recovering the losses of the previous…
Getting your mortgage application together can require quite a bit of financial scrutiny. In order to figure out your serviceability, your potential lender will look deeply into your finances. It’s a no brainer to take your credit card debts into consideration when applying for a mortgage. But what many people do not realise is that…
When the interest rate on your home loan fluctuates, it can feel as though you don’t have control of your debt. Despite being frustrating, interest rate changes are a part of every loan’s lifespan and warrant your consideration. The interest rates that banks charge on their home loans are influenced by the Reserve Bank of…
Key Points are as follows… · Investing during times of market stress and volatility can be difficult. For this reason it’s useful for investors to keep a key set of things – call them rules – in mind. · The key rules I think are: make the most of the power of compound interest; be aware that…
Risks regarding China and the Fed may be receding a bit for now but there remains plenty to keep an eye on including the risk of an “accident” flowing from slower emerging market growth and the plunge in commodities. However, our broad assessment remains that the cyclical bull market in shares is likely to reassert…
Key points are as follows… · Periods of declines and volatility in share markets are a normal part of the way they work. · Share market falls tend to be deepest when associated with recession (particularly US recessions). · Share market falls boost the medium term return potential from shares and once share markets bottom they are invariably…
Uncertainties regarding China, commodity prices, emerging countries and the Fed could see the correction in shares go further in the short term. A disappointing start to the Australian profit reporting season is also not helping Australian shares. · However, this looks more like a correction than a new bear market as we have not seen…
Over long periods of time shares and other growth assets deliver for investors via the power of compound interest. · However, cyclical swings can frequently throw investors off and reacting to periods of poor returns by moving to cash only locks in losses and poor long term returns. · So the key for investors is…
Invested wisely, an inheritance is a great opportunity to get ahead financially. But what’s the best way to invest it? If you’ve come into a large sum of money, you want to make sure you make the most of it. So is it better to pay off your mortgage or invest it for retirement? Paying…
We all like to put things on credit from time to time. But you may be shocked to find out how much your credit card debt really costs. Content There’s no question that credit cards are a convenient way to pay for things you need – or want– but that you haven’t quite managed to…